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Clinical Educator National Development Programme

Build the skills and confidence you need as a clinical educator.
Supporting and developing educators is recognised as a key national priority in the NHS Educator Workforce Strategy. Our CPD-accredited programme is designed around the real challenges you face - from limited time and competing priorities to building new skills in leadership, communication and education delivery.

Join peers from across the NHS and gain practical tools you can use straight away in your day-to-day role. Find out more about the programme and its content below. 

When we surveyed programme attendees

94%

were satisfied with the quality of the programme

 

90%

would recommend the programme to a colleague

What you can expect from the programme

Over six months, you’ll take part in eight interactive, three-hour online modules led by experienced clinical education specialists Lydia Lofton and Julie Combes.

This programme has been shaped by the views of over 800 clinical educators from across the country, ensuring it’s built around the real challenges you face. Each session combines practical tools, reflection and peer learning in a supportive, multi-professional environment, so you can immediately apply what you learn to your own role.

By the end of the programme, you will have developed core skills that every educator needs, including how to:

  • Design and deliver effective education that engages learners and supports clinical practice
  • Create inclusive and positive learning environments that motivate and challenge 
  • Communicate more confidently and utilise different feedback techniques
  • Understand your personal leadership style and its influence across teams and systems 
  • Demystifying practical healthcare business skills in project management, finance, and analytics 
  • Understand challenges and opportunities of leading change in healthcare systems
  • Build your professional network with other clinical educators from across the country 

You’ll also find detailed module descriptions and course dates at the bottom of this page.

If you are starting out in an educator role or interested in shaping the learning of the next generation in your field, this course is for you. In a short space of time you will be introduced to lots of concepts that underpin the educational landscape. You will learn about yourself in a safe environment and dare greatly. 


Consultant in Integrated Respiratory Medicine

FAQs

How much does the programme cost?

This programme is available to staff at both member and non-member organisations. The cost for staff at member organisations is £995 per participant or 4 tokens, subject to approval from your account lead. Staff at non-member organisations can join this programme for £1,200 per person.

Who would benefit most from this programme?

This programme is aimed at those working in a role with protected time for education delivery, coordination or strategy, within the health and care setting. We aim to develop skills, confidence and community, to enable more effective and efficient education provision for the health and care workforce.

What is expected of me during the programme?

You will need to commit to attending eight modules. Modules are three-hours long and take place online via MS Teams. Self-directed learning, reflective exercises, and application to personal practice are integral to participation. You will need to undertake self-directed reading and activities in advance of the online modules, estimated to be approximately two additional study hours per module.

You will also be encouraged to create a community of practice with other participants throughout the programme and will have access to various digital tools to enable this and apply your learning.

The programme gave me the tools and knowledge to approach clinical education with a more structured and confident mindset. I now feel much more prepared to facilitate student learning, provide constructive feedback, and ensure a positive and supportive learning environment.

Ward Sister

Module 1: Designing and delivering education

Building a community of practice with digital enablers

We will delve into the transformative power of digital tools in education, exploring their relevance to the teaching and learning experience. Together, we'll examine various platforms such as Mural and Microsoft 365 that enhance educational delivery and foster collaborative learning environments within our developing community of practice.

Module 2: Designing and delivering education

Learning theories and instructional design

We will explore the fundamental theories of behaviourism, constructivism, and cognitivism in education. You will gain practical insights into how these theories shape curriculum design and instructional methods. You’ll analyse and apply various instructional design models such as ADDIE model and The Double Diamond to optimize your teaching strategies and create dynamic learning experiences.

Module 3: Designing for people

Effective learning environments

Gain deeper insights into essential considerations such as accessibility, neurodiversity, interprofessional education, and psychological safety, forming a framework for establishing supportive educational environments. You will explore practical strategies to effectively address diverse learner needs and cultivate inclusive learning environments during our discussions.

Module 4: Developing People

Interpersonal communication skills

We will explore interpersonal communication skills crucial for educators, examining the styles, contextual applications, and impacts on oneself and others. Key elements covered include emotional intelligence, feedback techniques for education, and the effective use of the Radical Candor framework.

Module 5: Developing self

Leadership

We will explore your unique leadership style using the Merrill and Reid social styles model, gaining insights to enhance your impact. You’ll learn key concepts for effective leadership and consider practical strategies to cultivate these skills, to navigate change within an educational context.

Module 6: Healthcare business skills

Project management, analytics and finance

Find out about project management methodologies crucial for healthcare settings. Gain practical skills to efficiently plan, execute, and monitor projects. Learn how to use healthcare analytics for data-driven decision-making and take away tips for business case development. Consider essential financial principles to confidently navigate clinical education budgeting and resource allocation.

Module 7: Leadership in systems

System thinking and leading change

You will delve into system thinking methodologies, such as Peter Senge's "The Fifth Discipline," to gain insights into how different components of the system interact and influence each other. Additionally, we'll apply the "Water of Systems Change" framework to explore how shifting conditions at various levels can lead to sustainable, systemic change.

Module 8: Collaborative learning event

Celebrating learning and progress

By celebrating achievements we encourage the group to reflect on their development collaboratively and as individuals. Reflection and celebration helps everyone value a learning culture and keeps progress and achievements visible.

Autumn 2025 (waiting list only)
  • Welcome session: Wednesday 3 September 2025, 12pm to 1pm
  • Module 1: Tuesday 16 September 2025, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 2: Thursday 23 October 2025, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 3: Tuesday 18 November 2025, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 4: Thursday 18 December 2025, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 5: Tuesday 13 January 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 6: Tuesday 10 February 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 7: Tuesday 3 March 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 8: Tuesday 24 March 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
Winter 2026 (waiting list only)
  • Welcome session: Thursday 8 January 2026, 2pm - 3pm
  • Module 1: Thursday 22 January 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 2: Thursday 12 February 2026, 2pm - 5pm
  • Module 3: Tuesday 17 March 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 4: Tuesday 14 April 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 5: Tuesday 12 May 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 6: Tuesday 2 June 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 7: Thursday 25 June 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 8: Tuesday 14 July 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
Spring 2026
  • Welcome session: Monday 13 April 2026, 12pm to 1pm
  • Module 1: Thursday 30 April 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 2: Thursday 21 May 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 3: Thursday 11 June 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 4: Thursday 9 July 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 5: Thursday 30 July 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 6: Thursday 3 September 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 7: Thursday 24 September 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
  • Module 8: Thursday 15 October 2026, 9:30am to 12:30pm
A photo of Julie Combes and Lydia Lofton

Meet our facilitators

The Clinical Educator National Development Programme is run by Julie Combes (Director) and Lydia Lofton (Associate Director).

Julie began her NHS career as a paediatric intensive care nurse in 2000. Since 2010 she has been involved in workforce education and training undertaking senior leadership roles that support and advise health and care providers locally, regionally and nationally, more recently working for Health Education England.

Lydia is an experienced workforce specialist with expertise in clinical education. She has a background as a paediatric intensive care nurse, and extensive experience in NHS hospital trusts, international healthcare systems, academic health science partnerships, and arms-length bodies.

Find out more about our team >

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re a clinical educator looking for a CPD-accredited programme designed to support your development and strengthen your impact, we’d love to welcome you to our next cohort.